Habitual offender: Man jailed for criminal damage, assault, burglary in Hampshire
A man has been sentenced to jail for criminal damage and assault on police officers in Gosport, Hampshire, with incident reports dating back to September 16.
In late evening that day, Hampshire police responded to reports that 43-year-old Barry Close had vandalised a stairwell, window, and bicycle at an address on San Diego Road using a paving slab. Officers arrested Close at the scene. While being transported to custody, Close elbowed a police officer and then damaged his cell by flooding it with toilet water.
After appearing before magistrates on September 18, Close was charged with assault of an emergency worker and two counts of criminal damage. He admitted to these offences.
On Tuesday, October 24, Close was sentenced to 18 months in jail at Portsmouth Crown Court. This sentence included activating a suspended sentence he received on August 11 for a burglary at the Stoke Emporium in Gosport, where he stole £30,000 worth of jewellery.
“Barry Close is a habitual offender who persistently causes issues for the community and businesses in Gosport. Police are committed to relentlessly pursuing these kinds of individuals and making Gosport a hostile place for them,” said Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary acting sergeant Jon Stapenhill.
“They need to know that we will take robust action against them if they continue to offend, and I hope that the result in this case reassures the community of our commitment to do this.”
Other habitual offender cases
Hampshire has seen several habitual offenders in the past month alone. These individuals have been convicted of crimes multiple times and often continue to commit crimes even after being released from prison. The offence can vary from shoplifting and burglary to vandalism and assault.
On October 1, a Basingstoke court imposed a two-year criminal behaviour order on Connor Matthews, 27, prohibiting him from entering the High Street between Southgate Street and Middle Brook Street or visiting the Brooks Centre, Sainsbury’s in Middle Brook Street and Boots.
Matthews had pleaded guilty to committing seven thefts, including four from M&S, two from Boots and one from Waitrose, between April 22 and August 9.
A week earlier, Michelle Humble, 38, of Sussex Street, received a similar criminal behaviour order for two years after admitting to four thefts and an assault. She had been caught shoplifting from multiple stores in Winchester City Centre numerous times. Humble was also jailed for 30 weeks in 2019 for shoplifting in the same area.
According to the Office for National Statistics, Hampshire Constabulary recorded approximately 11,500 shoplifting offences in the year to June 2023, up from 8,712 in the same period last year. This trend reflects the national increase in shoplifting reports, which rose 25 percent from 293,000 offences in 2021-22 to 365,200 offences in 2022-23.
“These incidents take a huge toll on retailers and their colleagues, so it’s crucial that every incident reported to the police gets investigated,” said James Lowman, Association of Convenience Stores chief executive.
Safeguarding your business
Business security is essential for protecting your assets, employees, and profits. Crime against businesses can take many forms, from shoplifting to burglary to employee theft. Even seemingly minor incidents can have a significant financial impact, so preventing crime and mitigating its effects is essential.
To deter theft and burglary from your business, you can install alarm systems and CCTV cameras, tag your items, assess your business’s surroundings and train your staff. When no one is on-site, ensure all doors and windows are locked, ideally with access codes.
Business owners with high-value assets can consider employing security personnel or on-site patrols from security companies like Marengo, which ensures someone is always on-site to protect your
building and assets and consequently deter crime.
Source:
https://uk.news.yahoo.com/habitual-offender-jailed-criminal-damage-153623470.html
https://www.dailyecho.co.uk/news/23879984.gosport-man-smashed-stairwell-window-house/
https://www.hampshirechronicle.co.uk/news/23815172.chronic-shoplifter-banned-much-city-centre/
https://www.portsmouth.co.uk/news/crime/big-rise-in-hampshire-shoplifting-offences-4379805
https://www.police.uk/cp/crime-prevention/keeping-business-safe-from-crime/
